Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework and set of principles that maximizes learning opportunities for all learners. It is based on three main principles. Each principle has a set of detailed guidelines which provide an evidence-based approach to understanding how we can improve learning through tools and resources. Each principle is aimed at helping educators improve how we present information, engage students, and create inclusive assessments and evaluations.

UDL principles can be applied to the overall design of a course as well as to the specific instructional materials and strategies such as lectures, learning activities, learning resources, discussions, group work, handouts, on-line instruction, labs, field work, and demonstrations.

Universally designed curriculum provides students with multiple or flexible ways of viewing or listening to information (representation), expression, and engagement and makes a classroom more inclusive. Universally Designed curriculum reduces the need for special accommodation for students with disabilities.

Why is UDL important?

As educators we are often challenged to design and deliver curriculum for an increasingly diverse student population. Each student learns differently and can benefit from having a variety of learning formats to choose from, flexible assessments, and tools to help with organization of new information and skills. UDL provides us with a variety of strategies and resources to help meet diverse learning needs, improve accessibility to learning opportunities, and increase student success.

Three Principles of UDL

Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

Do you create a learning environment in which learners are challenged, excited and motivated about what they are learning?

Provide Multiple Means of Representation

Do you create a learning environment in which material and content are presented in a variety of ways?

Provide Multiple Means of Action and Engagement

Do you create a learning environment in which students can express their comprehension in multiple ways?

UDL Principle #1 Multiple Means of Engagement

Do you create a learning environment in which learners are challenged, excited, and motivated about what they are learning?

What you can do

Ideas

Examples/Support

Challenge students with meaningful, “real world” assignments.

Create evaluations that are performance based and allow students to demonstrate the learning outcomes.